sign up for the Extra newsletter

July 23, 2007

Tammy Faye's Closest Friends Reveal Her Final Hours


Tammy Faye Messner may have passed away, but her legend lives on.

Already, her website has been turned into a memorial page as people from across the world leave messages of sadness and joy, remembering the woman whose bright spirit could not be dimmed by cancer.

Her son Jay posted this message about his mother in her final hours: "She had a peaceful death and is no longer in pain."

Tammy passed away after battling cancer for more than a decade.

But mortality was no surprise to the faithful Christian evangelist, who said on "Larry King Live" that she knew exactly where she was going.

"I believe when I leave this earth, I'm going straight to heaven," Tammy told King.

Just 48 hours later, her last words came true. She passed away peacefully with her husband Roe by her side.

Tammy's former husband, televangelist Jim Bakker, is now speaking out. He posted a tribute on a webcast saying, "She lived life liked the song she sang. If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade."

Rapper Vanilla Ice, who co-stared with Tammy on "The Surreal Life," is revealing exclusively to "Extra" his poignant tale about his frantic attempt to reach her after seeing her saddening appearance on "Larry King."

"I got a hold of her manager," recalls the rapper. But he was never able to see his friend before she died.

"I'm shocked," he said. "I was going to see her, and I didn't even get a chance for that."

But he said Tammy's legacy will never be forgotten.

"The world needs more people like her," he insisted. "A total sweetheart. She's going to be missed."

He adds, "When you’re looking at death, and you can be that strong – that’s something to admire.”

Today, "Extra" learned that Tammy's family might be making an appearance on television. If Jim Bakker or any of their children decide to talk publicly, it will reportedly be to Larry King.

"Extra" wants to know: what will you remember most about Tammy Faye? Post your comments here.


NEXT: Star Secrets from the Beckham Bash Revealed

 

Tammy Faye was as big a scam artist as Jim Baker, bilking thousands of people out of millions of dollars, and never expressed the slightest bit of remorse for her actions. “Give praise to God, but send your checks to me” was her lifelong manta. She then marries Roe who was complicit in the Heritage USA scandal. Takes a crook to know a crook I guess.

I can’t see glorifying a woman who was complicit in securing and wasting millions of dollars on air-conditioned dog houses and gold bathroom fixtures…so very Christian of her. There are people starving, suffering and in need of true help, unfortunately her vision was clouded by the tons of make-up she so vainly wore. The world will be better off without her kind. We need more people with true compassion and will help people without pocketing millions for themselves in the process.


- Morgan
Posted 07/23/07 04:48 PM
 

Tammy Faye was one of the first people on television to compassionately interview people with AIDS. When no one would even speak of the disease from fear, she brought people with AIDS onto her show to help dispell the rumours and to help ease fears. I will remember her for that. She was a noble woman.


- Alan Lantz
Posted 07/23/07 04:45 PM
 

Everyone forgot she bilked millions
of dollars from people in the south
taking the last dollar from the elderly.
she will go to hell and jim will follow


- mZIEGLER
Posted 07/23/07 04:44 PM
 

I will remember Tammy Faye’s big heart full of unconditional love, her beautiful smile, her singing voice which could make me feel her message of love and hope. She had a strong faith that never wavered. My prayers are with her family. She is a brightly shining star now.


- Marilyn Maloney
Posted 07/23/07 04:31 PM
 

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG WIFE AND MOTHER, MY HUSBAND WORKED NIGHT SHIFT FOR THE POWER COMPANY. I WOULD FEAR THE NIGHT, EVERY NIGHT UNTIL I FOUND PTL ON WHEN I COULD NOT SLEEP AND MY HUSBAND WAS WORKING 65 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. I NEVER SLEPT..BUT MY SON LUKE DID. I’M NOT SURE WHAT THE FEAR WAS…BUT GROWING UP A CHRISTIAN I FOUND PTL ON TV WHEN I NEEDED IT..REAL LATE AT NIGHT AND EARLY INTO THE MORNING. I WOULD LISTEN TO TAMMY AND HEAR HER SING,AS I WAS A SINGER AS WELL FOR 14 YEARS, AND MY FEARS WENT AWAY. HER SMILE AND THE WAY HER VOICE CAME ACROSS TO ME WAS AMAZING. WHEN PTL WENT OFF THE AIR….I SLEPT. NIGHT AFTER NIGHT MY FEAR WENT AWAY. GOD WAS WORKING THROUGH TAMMY TO CALM MY FEARS AND I NEVER WILL FOGET THAT. SHE WAS SUCH AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD ALMIGHTY, AND DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT. THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO THIS STORY BUT NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO TELL IT. “TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY YOU ARE PRESENT WITH THE LORD”
SHE IS SHOUTING AND SINGING NOW.
THANK YOU TAMMY FOR GETTING ME THRU’ SOME OF THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE, WITH GOD AS YOUR PILOT.
PRAYERS TO YOUR FAMILY.
TERI HALL


- teri hall
Posted 07/23/07 04:22 PM
 

Hello, I remember Tammy and Jim from the early days when they were with Pat Robinson on CBN and they had the JIM AND TAmmy Show for children and she was pregnant with their daughter and she actually talked to the kids on the phone from the hospital.This was in Portsmouth VA and I lived in Norfolk.They also had the children on the show and served them snacks.At that time she never wore the heavy makeup.All the kids loved them.My so nwent to one of the shows and him and I have talked the lasr couple of daus about them.
I believe she is up there smiling down
at all of us.My prayers are with the whole family


- Donna Huffer
Posted 07/23/07 04:19 PM
 

she gave hope to many with out knowing. her heart was open even in her worst moments. Her spirit will be missed dearly. she was a women of true faith
our prayer are with all who loved her
rest in peace mrs. faye


- carmen Santiago
Posted 07/23/07 04:18 PM
 

Just want to say Tammy will be missed and prayers to her family and loved ones


- Linda
Posted 07/23/07 04:17 PM
 

I hope that people will not remember Tammy for her makeup or eyelashes, but for her ability to see people for who they truly are vs their exterior. I admire her greatly for her ability to see the good in this world and to live life so positively. She was a beautiful person and I will truly miss her.


- Jennifer Nickerson
Posted 07/23/07 04:16 PM
 

I’ll remember Tammy Faye for her unrelenting capacity to love. She never judged and just loved. If we could only have a few more million like her. I’ll memorialize her by trying to emulate that enormous heart she showed to everybody. My prayers go to her husband, children and all who were touched by her.


- Vin Glorioso
Posted 07/23/07 04:16 PM
 

Her face will definitely be remembered alongside of her strength and love for Christ.


- wanda dixon
Posted 07/23/07 04:16 PM
 

Tammy Faye will always be remembered as the woman with too much makeup that used the name of God to amass a personal fortune. Shame on her and what she has always represented.


- jeff
Posted 07/23/07 04:15 PM
 

When I was going to University of SC, friends who lived in SC would tell me that they would see her shopping over the weekend in Rock Hill, SC and buying makeup at KMart… I thought, “wow, what a strong woman, no pretension”— the scandal had broken but she was right out there with the people. As her family said, she is with the angels now. She was brave until the end and faced death with dignity. My prayers go out to her family —


- Kim
Posted 07/23/07 04:15 PM
 

I Think Tammy Faye will be remembered most for her sincere love for God and the encouragement that she gave to others in her time of need. She seemed to be really selfless.


- Anonymous
Posted 07/23/07 04:13 PM
 

Tammy Faye Baker was a strong woman! She always gave God praise. She will be truly missed. Our prayers are with her husband, children and her family.


- Gayla
Posted 07/23/07 03:21 PM

Comment Page: <<   3   >>
post comment

Name

Email
(not displayed)
remember me?     

Back to Top »